I have followed most of the discussions on the merits of various
torches and gas types. I still am having troubles deciding what
kind of torch meets my needs and budget. I would use a torch
for:

Routine infrequent repairs of rings and earrings (sizing
prong tipping etc.) I would only be doing gold and silver work.

I would want to do occaisonal melting for casting. I would
not melt more than 20 gms at a time.

I only do jewelry for my own amusement and will never be in the
retail market. It is simply a new hobby for a retired codger who
needs activities! I have been acquiring tools as I go along but
$ are beginning to be a problem. Can you suggest a torch to fit
my situation. Please give me a ballpark cost estimate. Remember
I would probably spend a max of 2 hours soldering or melting a
month.

Try the “Bernsomatic Torch”. It can be purchased at the local
hardware store for under $30.00. The replacement tanks cost
under $5.00. Every tank last for about 12 hours total. It’s
propane but it works for what you want to do and if you need
something hotter buy a tank of MAPP gas for under $10.00. This
tank can be bought at the same hardware stores and fits the
acessories from the $30.00 kit. Bye, Siobhan

Bernsomatic comes in two sizes, large and pencil tip torches. I
used the LARGE one (a plumber’s torch) for a few years before
switching to the acetelyne . … but I still use the pencil
point for chains and small soldering because you can point the
flame where you want it and it is hot enough to do the job on
very small items.

Can you describe the characteristics of a Burnzomatic Torch ie.
temperatures, ease of use. I found them in the variety store
but the pkg. gave me very little info. They will adequately
solder small jobs in gold or silver and melt small quantities of
the same? What is the MAPP refill?

Go with little torch using propane. You can get a small oxygen
bottle at any welding shop and small propane tanks are available
at most convenience stores. Many low small jewelry stores use the
same set up. I imagine you could get going for just a couple
hundred dollars.

Can you describe the characteristics of a Burnzomatic Torch ie.
temperatures, ease of use. I found them in the variety store
but the pkg. gave me very little info. They will adequately
solder small jobs in gold or silver and melt small quantities of
the same? What is the MAPP refill?

There is a trick to using them. The tank angle controls the
flame size, the more nearly vertical the hold the tank the
smaller the flame size, the more horizontal the larger. Because
they are just propane/air they do not get high enough to melt any
volume of metal very fast or efficiently (I know-I’ve tried when
I ran out of gas for my regular torch).

There is a trick to using them. The tank angle controls the
flame size, the more nearly vertical the hold the tank the
smaller the flame size, the more horizontal the larger. Because
they are just propane/air they do not get high enough to melt any
volume of metal very fast or efficiently (I know-I’ve tried when
I ran out of gas for my regular torch).

I have had some success in fusing bundles of about 6, 16ga
copper, brass or sterling wires using a burnsomatic. I was very
patient and did not always get the metal to flow, but sometimes
it would go. It usually took between 2-5 minutes. Propane
worded, but I had the best results using MAAP Gas(I don’t recal
what the gas mixture is, but it burnes hotter than propane and
costs around $9 a cylinder). I was doing this to seal the ends
of bracelets I was making and with persistence I was usually
successful. I did this before I started taking classes, so I
would try anything that might work.

Now that I have worked with a Presto light light torch I do
prefer it to the burnsomatic, but I was able to do a lot with
the burnsomatic after I got a feel for It. I have never worked
with gold, or done any complex soldering, mostly bezels and
sweat soldering. The burnsomatic dose have a tendency to blow
Itself out when the gas canister is new, probably from Increased
pressure due to the amount of gas in the cylinder. If you really
need a cheep alternative the burnsomatic is worth trying. Look
for the penile point tip, when purchasing the torch. Shop
around, there are a few different sets burnsomatic sells for
different jobs, and it tool me a while to find the right one. I
think I paid $16 for the penile point tip, and it came with one
disposable cylinder. Good Luck!!!

they are just propane/air they do not get high enough to melt any
volume of metal very fast or efficiently (I know-I’ve tried when
I ran out of gas for my regular torch).>>

In the same vain there are cheap oxy-propane torches intended
for the home market. At $40 or so it’s not a bad price to start
with. (I too still use it in emergencies) I think it burns about
5000 degrees.

TC> for the penile point tip, when purchasing the torch. I
TC> think I paid $16 for the penile point tip, and it came with one
TC> disposable cylinder. Good Luck!!!

G’day; I spent all my money on a new knee but I’d like to get
one of those. Though I can’t really remember how to use one
these days. However, I did have a disposable cylinder. It’s
been a long time… Cheers,